Best Whatcom County Grants for Nonprofits in Washington

Seattle City Light's Wildlife Research Grant provides funding for projects aimed at understanding and protecting wildlife resources in the North Cascades ecosystem. Since 1995, the program has supported diverse research initiatives, producing significant academic contributions and informing wildlife management practices. Researchers are encouraged to focus on key priorities such as habitat connectivity and the effects of climate change on vulnerable species. The program seeks projects that complement existing research and adhere to professional standards.

The Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP) offers Beach Restoration Small Grants to support projects that enhance and conserve near-shore environments in Puget Sound. This initiative, managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, aims to maintain resilient estuaries and shorelines in the face of climate change. Grants are provided to create demonstration sites for local landowners, promoting effective restoration practices and fostering community engagement.

The Puget Sound Stewardship and Mitigation Fund Grant aims to enhance water quality in Puget Sound through community-based projects. Funded by the Rose Foundation, the grant supports 501(c)3 organizations and governmental entities focusing on pollution mitigation, conservation, and education. Grants typically span one year with a maximum of $40,000. The foundation prefers locally-led initiatives and encourages applications from environmental justice organizations to foster equity in project implementation.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government units, school districts, and tribes in Whatcom County, Washington can access funding through First Fed Foundation to support community services, affordable housing, economic development, and community development projects. Grants from US $5,000 - US $100,000 prioritize low- to moderate-income and marginalized residents and capacity-building initiatives.

The City of Bellingham Emergency Repairs Grant allocates $50,000 annually for emergency repairs to multifamily housing, including shelters and transitional housing, as outlined in the City's Consolidated Plan. This initiative has supported over 25,000 individuals through various services in a given year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and additional funding may be available for emergency repairs to nonprofit community facilities serving low-income households.

The City of Bellingham offers Community/Public Facility Improvement Grants aimed at enhancing facilities that benefit low-income individuals and areas. This funding, totaling approximately $250,000, supports various community projects such as food banks, senior centers, childcare facilities, and community centers. Additional funding may be available for housing initiatives. This program aims to strengthen community infrastructure and improve access to essential services for those in need.

The National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program, administered by Restore America’s Estuaries and supported by the EPA, funds competitive projects addressing critical threats to estuaries. Key priorities include habitat restoration, enhancing coastal resilience against extreme weather, managing nutrient impacts, and mitigating stormwater runoff. Established in 1987, the program aims to improve ecological integrity and water quality in 28 estuaries nationwide, providing essential funding and guidance to local initiatives.

Impact 100 Seattle empowers women to make a difference through collective grantmaking. We focus on transformative change by supporting community-based organizations in the Puget Sound area. Our trust-based philanthropy approach allows us to address root causes of social issues while building strong relationships. With a commitment to funding diverse initiatives in Arts, Health, Education, Environment, and Families, we aim to create lasting impact through our grants, including a major grant of $100,000.

The PLTW Computer Science - Program Expansion grant from Phillips 66 aims to enhance access to quality education in STEM fields for middle and high school students. This initiative supports schools in expanding their existing PLTW Computer Science programs, particularly in high-need areas starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. Grants of $10,000 are available, prioritizing institutions with significant economic need among students, ensuring future generations are equipped for success in technology and engineering careers.

ECF of Boeing Washington: Puget Sound

The Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound (ECF) is a pooled fund consisting of recurring payroll contributions from generous Boeing employees. It funds local nonprofits that help thousands of families and individuals in the Puget Sound region where Boeing employees live and work.

ECF funding criteria

ECF has two distinct grant categories – Supporting Grants and Capital Campaign Grants.

1. Supporting Grants: Consideration is given to nonprofits/agencies that are performing well and are seeking to upgrade, replace or modify elements of their infrastructure

2. Capital Campaign Grants: Capital Campaign grants are targeted to nonprofit organizations who strive to significantly expand the numbers of people they serve.

Grant Amount: Supporting grants cannot exceed $50,000. The requested amount cannot be more than 10% of an agency’s gross annual revenue.

Youth Lead Project — Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program

The Washington State Department of Commerce is making up to $646,065 available in Youth Lead Project grant funding. The Office of Homeless Youth received awards through HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) to provide interventions that prevent and end youth homelessness in Washington’s Balance of State (BoS) Continuum of Care (CoC).

The Youth Lead Project was developed by the BoS YHDP Youth Action Board, known as the Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Board, to embed youth voice into every aspect of the youth homelessness response system. Grant funds support professional opportunities for young adults with lived experience of homelessness to address youth homelessness through both direct service delivery activities, like street outreach and case management, and participating in leadership activities for local and statewide system change efforts.

Grant funds must be used to support youth and young adults, ages 12-24, who meet criteria for category 1, 2, or 4 of the HUD definition of homelessness at enrollment. Youth Lead Project grants are for supportive services only and do not include housing programs or ongoing rental assistance.

The PLTW Engineering program, supported by Phillips 66, aims to enhance STEM education in middle and high schools. By providing $30,000 in grants over two academic years, it encourages schools to offer PLTW Engineering courses, fostering skills in students from underserved communities. This initiative is designed to prepare students for future careers in STEM fields, ensuring a diverse and capable workforce. Schools in designated counties are eligible, with a focus on those serving economically disadvantaged students.

The PLTW Computer Science program, funded by Phillips 66, aims to enhance STEM education in middle and high schools. By offering a minimum of two PLTW Computer Science courses over two years, the initiative seeks to empower students with vital skills for future careers. With a total grant of $20,000, the program focuses on schools in various states, prioritizing those serving economically disadvantaged students to foster diversity and inclusion in the tech field.